Despite the rapid adoption of Web 3 technologies globally, there is a significant challenge in establishing Cardano's web 3 platform as the top choice for startups in Africa due to lack of awareness.
To organize an educational summit that will bridge the knowledge gap and foster awareness of Cardano Web 3 blockchain in student startups and enhance the onboarding of students into the ecosystem.
This is the total amount allocated to Blockchain Entrepreneurship Incubation Summit –– A Focus on onboarding students and startups.
INNOCENT NORVINU
No dependencies
Project will be fully open source
Relevant UN SDGs goals:
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
Relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
OUTLOOK
The concept of Web 3.0 has gained significant attention in the blockchain ecosystem in recent months, largely because of its potential and opportunities it presents. In order to advance and increase the awareness of the blockchain technology, and the onboarding of student communities in Ghana, Gateway to Digital Technology Limited – a non-governmental institution, and a cardano catalyst community funded project that was successfully implemented by our team, has pursued several initiatives in bridging the knowledge gap that exist on blockchain technology among the student community in Ghana. In furtherance of our work on education and advocacy on blockchain technology among the youth in Ghana, we’ll advance our education and advocacy drive a step further into the field of student entrepreneur startups, where most young people with innovative ideas are centered. This fit the central theme of the startup and student onboarding category. The objective of the Startup and Student Onboarding challenge opines that, proposals must focus on " activities that foster student Catalyst proposers and blockchain engineers, Increasing the number of student Catalyst proposers and blockchain engineers will lead to the development of the Cardano ecosystem in the future. Specific examples for educating them include holding seminars, creating and translating content, forming a community hub, and so on. Let's make use of your experience and position to promote student onboarding”.
In light of the framework of the objective of the challenge setting, we’re convinced that the end goal of our project makes it suitable for the Startup and Student Onboarding challenge. Aside the blockchain entrepreneurship incubation summit providing education, the central theme of proposal focuses on increasing awareness through mentorship on Cardano blockchain and Web 3.0 technology among student startup businesses in Ghana, and scaling up the onboarding of students startup businesses in Ghana into the catalyst ecosystem as catalyst proposers. The main objectives of this project can be categorized into twofold:
Building on the foundation we’ve already laid in terms on our education and advocacy on blockchain technology, the introduction of Web3 technology to students and student entrepreneur startups seeks to educate students, and give them the leverage to scale up their operations. The summit will be a partnership between a leading student entrepreneurship advocacy association in the University of professional studies called Idea Factor and Gateway to Digital Technology Limited. By this partnership, we plan to offer a more strategic and practical approach to engaging student entrepreneur startup businesses. The conference will not only provide a platform for education and advocacy but also offer an avenue for mentorship, and onboarding student entrepreneurs who are yet to grasp the concept of the Web 3.0 technology, its potential, opportunities and how to incorporate it into their business operations.
Since Africa is still relatively new to the blockchain ecosystem, including the Cardano blockchain ecosystem, our team is determined to position the Cardano network as a pioneer and center of attraction for the use of Web 3.0 related products by entrepreneurs and developers in Africa, starting with students. Africa, ideally presents a unique opportunity for not only increasing the community base of the Cardano blockchain technology but also serves as a ready market for the Web 3.0 ecosystem. Our main objective is to introduce students and student entrepreneurs to the concept of web 3.0 technology, its relevance, potential, and opportunities it presents to our generation, while onboarding them into the catalyst ecosystem. By extension, we seek to also enlighten young student startups and businesses on Web 3.0 infrastructure in the Cardano network ecosystem in this digital age. Admittedly, the Web 3 technology is still in its infancy in terms of the technology cycle, hence this summit will ultimately present a unique opportunity to onboard more young student startup businesses into the cardano ecosystem. However, considering the potential of the Web 3 infrastructure network in the Cardano ecosystem, we are yet to experience a full optimization of its potential, especially in Africa where financial inclusion is still a challenge. It's our determination to facilitate this process of growth and expansion of the Cardano network in Africa. Our team has been at the forefront of spearheading advocacy and education for young students on digital technologies, especially the blockchain innovation. The transformative nature of Web 3.0 technology is well designed to revolutionize industries. Therefore, this event is designed to inspire and educate students on the Web 3.0 Revolution, its opportunities and potential, guiding them to explore decentralized applications, enable them to appreciate how the concept of Web 3 will impact on various industries, and also learn about career prospects emerging in the Web 3.0 ecosystem. Ultimately, the idea is to onboard students into the catalyst ecosystem via training and mentorship, with the aim of participating in the various roles in the ecosystem, and also empower student entrepreneurs with the required knowledge and skills that will put them at the forefront to thrive in this new age of the internet. The event will assemble relevant experts in the ecosystem with practical knowledge and skills, focusing on specific areas of interest, not only for the students but also for the attending entrepreneurs that will be present. Despite the vast potential and limitless possibilities that Web 3.0 brings to the digital space, we’ll narrow our presentation on the following;
• Introduction to the future of blockchain technology
• Exploring the fundamental concepts and principles behind Web 3.0
• Understanding the development and deployment of cardano-related dapps on Web 3.0 platforms.
TARGET AUDIENCE
PROGRAM OUTLINE
UNIVERSITY OF PROOFESSIONAL STUDIES - ACCRA – GHANA
The first part of the event will kick off at the University of Professional Studies. The University of Professional studies hosts a population of around 14000 students, providing them with both academic and professional higher education in Ghana. It remains the only public institution with the mandate to offer both academic degrees and provide tuition for business professional qualification. Therefore, this summit will be a first step among many strategies to fully facilitate the introduction of blockchain technology to the whole student populace and also onboard them into the Cardano community. Considering the business-oriented nature of this University, we anticipate a target student audience of 75. We expect the event to come off somewhere round November, 2023. However, given the uncertainty on the release of funding for proposal as seen in the just ended funding round, this date is subject to change.
PROPOSED DATE: NOVEMBER, 23 OR January,24
VENUE: LBC AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
TIME: 9AM - 3PM GMT
TARGET: 100 students
BARRIERS
Getting students and businesses owners to Attend: To address this challenge, we’ll collaborate with departments, clubs and associations in the University of Professional studies to promote event through their social media channels.
Lack of incentive could affect participation: We have decided to provide snacks and small amount of Cardano coin at our in-person event, as an incentive to attract more audience.
APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE
According to the Startup and Student Onboarding challenge settings, "the objective of the Startup and Student Onboarding challenge is to support student entrepreneurs who have a business idea that leverages blockchain technology and are looking for funding opportunities for their startup. Proposals in this category must focus on blockchain development. We accept any development ideas as long as they utilize blockchain technology. In addition, the challenge also supports activities that foster student Catalyst proposers and blockchain engineers. Increasing the number of student Catalyst proposers and blockchain engineers will lead to the growth and development of the Cardano ecosystem in the future”.
In line with addressing the challenge, the blockchain entrepreneurship incubation summit will focus on providing education and mentorship to students and startups on the cardano web 3 technology infrastructure, and facilitate their onboarding into the cardano blockchain ecosystem as proposers. We’re convinced that the end goal of our project makes it suitable for the Startup and Student Onboarding challenge. Aside the blockchain startup incubation summit providing education, the central theme of proposal focuses on increasing awareness through mentorship on Cardano blockchain and Web 3.0 technology among student startup businesses in Ghana, and scaling up the onboarding of these students startup businesses in Ghana into the catalyst ecosystem as project catalyst proposers. The main objectives of this project can be categorized into twofold:
The blockchain startup incubation summit will be a partnership between a leading student entrepreneurship advocacy association in the University of professional studies called Idea Factor and Gateway to Digital Technology Limited. Building on the foundation we’ve already laid in terms on our education and advocacy on blockchain technology, the introduction of Web3 technology to students and student entrepreneur startups seeks to educate students, and give them the leverage to scale up their operations. The summit will be a partnership between a leading student entrepreneurship advocacy association in the University of professional studies called Idea Factor and Gateway to Digital Technology Limited. By this partnership, we plan to offer a more strategic and practical approach to engaging student entrepreneur startup businesses. The summit will not only provide a platform for education and advocacy but also offer an avenue for mentorship, and onboarding student entrepreneurs who are yet to grasp the concept of the Web 3.0 technology, its potential, opportunities and how to incorporate it into their business operations.
Since Africa is still relatively new to the blockchain ecosystem, including the Cardano blockchain ecosystem, our team is determined to position the Cardano network as a pioneer and center of attraction for the use of Web 3.0 related products by entrepreneurs and developers in Africa, starting with students. Africa, ideally presents a unique opportunity for not only increasing the community base of the Cardano blockchain technology but also serves as a ready market for the Web 3.0 ecosystem. Our main objective is to introduce students and student entrepreneurs to the concept of web 3.0 technology, its relevance, potential, and opportunities it presents to our generation, while onboarding them into the catalyst ecosystem. By extension, we seek to also enlighten young student startups and businesses on Web 3.0 infrastructure in the Cardano network ecosystem in this digital age. Admittedly, the Web 3 technology is still in its infancy in terms of the technology cycle, hence this summit will ultimately present a unique opportunity to onboard more young student startup businesses into the cardano ecosystem. However, considering the potential of the Web 3 infrastructure network in the Cardano ecosystem, we are yet to experience a full optimization of its potential, especially in Africa where financial inclusion is still a challenge. It's our determination to facilitate this process of growth and expansion of the Cardano network in Africa. Our team has been at the forefront of spearheading advocacy and education for young students on digital technologies, especially the blockchain innovation. The transformative nature of Web 3.0 technology is well designed to revolutionize industries. Therefore, this event is designed to inspire and educate students on the Web 3.0 Revolution, its opportunities and potential, guiding them to explore decentralized applications, enable them to appreciate how the concept of Web 3 will impact on various industries, and also learn about career prospects emerging in the Web 3.0 ecosystem. Ultimately, the idea is to onboard students into the catalyst ecosystem via training and mentorship, with the aim of participating in the various roles in the ecosystem, and also empower student entrepreneurs with the required knowledge and skills that will put them at the forefront to thrive in this new age of the internet. The event will assemble relevant experts in the ecosystem with practical knowledge and skills, focusing on specific areas of interest, not only for the students but also for the attending entrepreneurs that will be present. Despite the vast potential and limitless possibilities that Web 3.0 brings to the digital space, we’ll narrow our presentation on the following;
• Introduction to the future of blockchain technology
• Exploring the fundamental concepts and principles behind Web 3.0
• Understanding the development and deployment of cardano-related dapps on Web 3.0 platforms.
BENEFITS/IMPACTS TO THE CARDANO ECOSYSTEM
The project's objectives align well with the Cardano ecosystem and bring several benefits to its development and expansion. Here's an expanded development of each objective and how it positively impacts the Cardano ecosystem:
Awareness and Onboarding
Increasing awareness about Web 3.0 technology and the benefits of the Cardano blockchain ecosystem is crucial for its growth and adoption. By creating awareness among young student entrepreneurs and businesses in Ghana, the project helps educate a key demographic about the potential of decentralized technologies and the opportunities available within the Cardano ecosystem. This increased awareness can lead to a greater understanding of the value proposition of Cardano, attracting more users and developers to the platform. Onboarding a large number of students into the ecosystem also contributes to a diverse and vibrant community that can drive innovation and contribute to the growth of Cardano.
Drive Adoption and Mentorship
Facilitating adoption and integration of the Cardano Web 3.0 infrastructure through mentorship programs is an effective strategy to drive usage and expansion. By providing mentorship to individuals and entrepreneurs in Ghana, the project empowers them to explore and leverage the capabilities of Cardano for their own ventures. This mentorship can include technical guidance, best practices, and knowledge sharing on building decentralized applications (dApps) on Cardano. By fostering adoption among entrepreneurs, the project contributes to the overall growth of the Cardano ecosystem, expanding its user base and encouraging the development of innovative solutions on the platform. Furthermore, by specifically highlighting Project Catalyst, the initiative encourages student entrepreneurs to actively participate in the democratic governance of Cardano and contribute their ideas for improving the ecosystem.
Expand the Cardano Community in Africa
Fostering the onboarding of young student entrepreneurs into the Cardano ecosystem in Africa has significant long-term benefits for both the region and Cardano itself. By actively engaging with the student community in Ghana, the project aims to expand the Cardano community in Africa, tapping into a pool of talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. This expansion helps create a more diverse and inclusive ecosystem, with different perspectives and expertise contributing to the development and growth of Cardano. Additionally, as the Cardano community expands in Africa, it opens up opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and localized solutions tailored to the needs of the continent. The increased presence and participation in Africa also align with Cardano's mission of promoting financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and sustainable development in emerging markets.
The success of the project can be measured using various key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the objectives and goals. Here are some potential metrics to assess the project's success:
Awareness and Onboarding:
Adoption and Mentorship:
Cardano Community Expansion in Africa:
Given these specific metrics it's important to establish specific targets or benchmarks for each KPI and track progress over time. By evaluating and analyzing the data collected will provide insights into the project's impact and help identify the success of the program and areas for improvement. Additionally, qualitative feedback and testimonials from participants can provide valuable anecdotal evidence of the project's success in achieving its objectives. The end goal here is that, after a successful implementation of this project, we seek to achieve the following milestone targets after the event;
Output of the results from the project.
Upon meeting our targets as indicated in the project, we expect a collaboration with policy makers in our educational institutions on partnership that will foster the education and awareness creation among students communities.
In spreading the project into a timeframes that is more efficient, we intend to segment the project into two phase, taking a four month duration.
Community Accountability
Our milestones provide specific quantity-based targets to measure the impact of the event on students and ensure that a significant number of students are reached, educated, and empowered through the Web 3.0 summit. In ensuring our team’s accountability and transparency to the cardano ecosystem, all the needed documentation from start to finish of the event will be presented to the community including video recordings where necessary. These documentations will be presented, in addition to our monthly report to the catalyst community. The documents will be posted on all catalyst affiliate social media platforms.
CAPACITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Our team have been active in the catalyst ecosystem since fund 7. As a project lead, I am currently a team member of the development and infrastructure challenge team in fund 10. since fund 7, 8 and 9, I’ve been an active community Advisor, a voter and a proponent with two community funded and executed project. From these credentials, it’s worth noting that our contribution to the ecosystem has been immerse especially in spearheading the community goal of catalyst.
Apart from our active involvement in the catalyst space, our team brings not only extensive experience but also a profound level of engagement in the Cardano Catalyst space, specifically in terms of project implementation. We have led several initiatives that received funding from the Catalyst community. Through our active involvement in the Catalyst community, we have successfully executed three major projects, all of which are open source and available for community verification. By making these projects transparent, the community can verify our capacity to deliver on the current project. For reference, below are links to our projects:
https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/62263
https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/64358
https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/64441
In accordance with the project completion procedures for Project Catalyst, we always submit a report for community verification, allowing the community to validate the outcomes of our projects. We are dedicated to scaling up the advancement of the Catalyst goal, and our commitment to credibility has consistently been paramount throughout our past project completions. Our ultimate aim is to create a meaningful impact within the Catalyst space.
GOALS
The main goals of the project are as follows:
To validate the feasibility of the approach, the project will consider the following measures:
Attendance and participation: The project can track the number of students attending the educational campaign and the entrepreneurship summit. This will indicate the level of interest and engagement among the target audience.
Feedback and impact evaluation: Collecting feedback from students about their knowledge, skills, and motivation gained from the event can provide insights into the effectiveness of the educational campaign. Additionally, tracking the impact of the event on students' subsequent actions and involvement in the Cardano ecosystem can help evaluate the project's success.
Onboarding and mentorship: The project can track the number of student startups that successfully leverage blockchain technology, secure funding from Cardano Catalyst, or engage with the Cardano ecosystem after the mentorship provided during the event. This will indicate the project's ability to foster adoption and integration of Cardano blockchain among student entrepreneurs.
Community engagement and support: Regular communication with the Cardano community, sharing progress reports, and providing documentation of the project's activities can ensure transparency and accountability. Sharing videos, testimonials, and success stories from the project can also demonstrate its feasibility and impact.
ROADMAP
The conference does not only seek to educate and promote the Web 3.0 infrastructure in the Cardano blockchain ecosystem but also assist in transitioning students in Ghanaian universities into catalyst space. Upon receiving funding for the project, we plan to carry out this project by referencing the roadmap below;
Planning phase – 1 week
Speaker Selection Phase – 2 week
Reservation Phase — 3 weeks
Event Promotion Phase — 1 month
Post event Review Phase
After a successful event execution, our team will undertake an online survey to gather feedback from event participants regarding areas of interest and improvement for future events and their plans for applying the knowledge acquired.
To provide a comprehensive overview, let's break down the project into three milestones, corresponding to each objective, and outline the associated deliverables, outputs, and intended outcomes for each milestone:
Milestone 1: Awareness and Onboarding
Objective: Increase awareness about Web 3.0 technology and onboard students into the Cardano ecosystem.
Deliverables:
Outputs:
Intended outcomes:
Milestone 2: Expand the Cardano Community in Africa
Objective: Foster the onboarding of young student entrepreneurs into the Cardano ecosystem, specifically in Africa.
Deliverables:
Outputs:
Intended outcomes:
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Here's a breakdown of the budget for the event:
Venue Rental and Setup:
Speaker Expenses (Two speakers):
Event Promotion:
Catering and Refreshments:
Incentives for Team and participants
Total Event Subtotal: 16975 ADA.
COST OF THE PROJECT
Ensuring cost-effectiveness and maximizing value for the Cardano ecosystem is at the forefront of our project proposal. With meticulous consideration of prevailing market prices, our budget breakdown reflects an accurate representation of the resources required. We understand the inherent volatility of ADA prices and have factored in this fluctuation when devising our budget, guaranteeing its adaptability to changes in the price levels of ADA. By incorporating strategies that are mindful of cryptocurrency market dynamics, we have pegged our allocated budget amount to a price between 0.15 and 0.2. Therefore, we believe the budget remains resilient and capable of supporting the successful implementation of our project, regardless of any variations in the price levels of the Cardano coin.
Beyond financial considerations, our project offers substantial value to the Cardano ecosystem. By harnessing the transformative potential of blockchain technology and the Cardano platform, our project aims to deliver sustainable and long-lasting benefits, creating a positive ripple effect for the Cardano community and its stakeholders. We are confident that the value generated by our project surpasses the allocated budget, representing a compelling proposition for the Cardano ecosystem."
INHERENT VALUE ADDITION TO THE CARDANO ECOSYSTEM
Overall, the cost of the project represents value for money by promoting education, awareness, and active participation in the Cardano ecosystem. It aims to create a knowledgeable and engaged community that can contribute to the ecosystem's growth and long-term success. The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in the following ways:
The cost of the project allocated in the proposal represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in the following ways:
- It will increase awareness of Cardano blockchain technology among students and student entrepreneurs in Ghana.
This is a key goal of the project, and it is essential for the long-term growth of the Cardano ecosystem. By educating students about Cardano, the project will help to create a new generation of Cardano users and developers.
- It will help to onboard student entrepreneurs into the Cardano community.
The project will provide students with the knowledge and resources they need to start and grow their businesses on Cardano. This will help to create a more vibrant and sustainable Cardano ecosystem.
- It will foster collaboration between students and Cardano experts.
The project will bring together students and Cardano experts to share knowledge and ideas. This will help to accelerate the development of new Cardano applications and services.
- It will help to attract new users to the Cardano catalyst space
By educating students about Cardano, the project will help to create a new generation of Cardano users. This will help to increase the size and activity of the Cardano community.
Team members and Roles for the project
Our team members have varied level of experience across various field which is well-cut out for the project. Based on the expertise the team presents, we’re convinced that our team have the capacity to implement the project. However, there will be a few areas where we’ll outsource the services of expertise via collaboration. Below are our team members with their accompanying roles:
Kingsley Mensah- Developer
David Mensah – organizer Officer
Innocent Norvinu - Marketing
Asare Emmanuel - Student
IDEA FACTOR UPSA – collaboration
Background of team members
PARTNERSHIP
IDEA FACTOR UNIVERSITY OF PROOFESSIONAL STUDIES
IDEA FACTOR UPSA (IFU) is a dynamic campus-based organization dedicated to nurturing and empowering students and young individuals in the fields of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Governance. With a passion for cultivating the potential within each student, IFU provides a supportive platform for personal and professional development, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen paths. Driven by the belief that the future belongs to those who actively engage in shaping it, IFU fosters a vibrant community that encourages active participation and innovative thinking. Through various programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives, IFU strives to instill a strong entrepreneurial mindset, promoting creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among its members.
Asare Emmanuel
Emmanuel is currently in his final year at the University of Cape Coast, where he is studying Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting. He worked as a part-time administrative assistant at a firm called Concomitant Initiatives Ltd. His roles included scheduling and reminding the CEO of meetings, taking minutes of daily meetings, as well as filing, typing, and copying files related to research projects.
He also interned with the Audit section of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the North Kaneshie Area Branch. During his internship, he learned about the practical aspects of audit procedures and how to use Excel to enter and format client details. Finally, Emmanuel interned at Npontu Technologies in Accra. He was tasked with producing a manual for a newly developed enterprise resource planning (ERP) system called Kedebah.
U.C.C (school's) Email: daa@ucc.edu.gh
www.linkedin.com/in/asare-emmanuel-26146b218
Kingsley Mensah
Kingsley Mensah is a blockchain enthusiast and his contributions to the field have been widely recognized. Kingsley is also the C.E.O of Kingscel and the Cofounder & CEO of Speso. In 2019, he was honored with the prestigious Star of Innovation Award by Hubei University of Technology in China for his groundbreaking work. The following year, he received the Young Achievers Award at the Pride of Africa Awards in Asia, presented by the Appreciate Africa Network, highlighting his remarkable accomplishments. He has also acquired a Master's degree in Computer Science & Technology. Kingsley combines his technical expertise with a passion for ideas that promote a free society, making him a prominent figure in the blockchain community.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingsley-mensah/
David Mensah
David Mensah is a highly motivated professional with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies and Economics Education from the university of Education, Winneba. He has worked as a social studies teacher, research assistant, enumerator, and cocoa purchasing clerk at PBC Ltd. This diverse experience, along with the extensive knowledge of blockchain technology have shaped the foundation of my professional framework and allowed me to approach blockchain advocacy from a holistic perspective. Additionally, I am a member of WADA, an NGO spearheading innovative digital technology and blockchain advocacy in Africa. He is currently the Co-founder of Gateway to Blockchain, an online incentivized learning platform for blockchain technology. My passion lies in advocating for blockchain technology and its potential impact on various industries. My strong background in education and social services has provided me with the necessary skills to effectively communicate and educate others about the benefits of blockchain.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-mensah-42684822
Innocent Norvinu
A marketing expect with over 4 years of experience as a marketing and communication director at Young Africans for Opportunities (YAFO), a nonprofit organization. is a cryptocurrency enthusiast with a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Professional Studies in Ghana. He is the Cofounder of gateway to blockchain. A former marketing specialist at Tech markets solutions. His over 7 years of experience within the finance industry as a risk and compliance officer has been key in ensuring that Unique Step Microfinance survive financial sanctions emanating from lack of regulatory compliance and also helping banks and micro-finance institutions survive various financial clean-up exercise in Ghana. He is a fund 7, 8 and 9 community Advisor, a voter and a proponent with two community funded and executed project. He also a fund 10 challenge team member.
Email: jessejunior6448@gmail.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/innocent-norvinu-a096931a9